It was rumored that Illidan Stormrage, the neutral Legendary that never saw play, was being kicked out of Classic and being replaced. As it turns out, this is indeed correct!
Thanks to confirmation from Celestalon, we now know that Illidan will only be a hero and his neutral card is being renamed to Xavius. Here's what Wowpedia has to say about Xavius.
Quote From Wowpedia Lord Xavius was one of the Highborne's most powerful sorcerers and the high councilor to Queen Azshara during the time of the War of the Ancients. Since Azshara concealed her magical prowess, Xavius was considered the most powerful Highborne to whom the rest measured their skills. He was later transformed into the first satyr by Sargeras, before ultimately being transformed into the dreaded Nightmare Lord.
And finally, Celestalon's confirmation.
Quote From Celestalon The neutral classic Illidan card got promoted from not-so-great Legendary minion to awesome baseline Hero… In his place, Xavius has taken over that design. (In other words, the old classic Illidan card got its name/art changed.)
Comments
The disrespect... My boy Xavius deserved better than this...
Yeah, they should have just made up a new character. Named trash bin.
Why not just HOF the card and give everyone 1600 dust :) the card sucks and now another character will suffer the fate of a 6 mana 7/5 awkward token generator nobody plays.
"Move over Illidan, you've held on to that seat long enough" said a menacing Xavius, either unmoved or unaware of Illidan's long, wide smirk. As Xavius takes the demon hunter's place, he wonders in his mind "why is everyone around me grinning and hiding laughter?
Maybe there's a part in the story where team5 reveals a Xavius that doesnt suck.
They'll have to change quite a lot. The name and artwork obviously, but also the tokens (why would Xavius summon Flame of Azzinoth?), voice lines and Illidan's fantastic entrance animation. Unlike a lot of people I actually quite like the Illidan card, but I'm sure everyone will agree it's post-Legion entrance is one of the best and a shame to lose.
So, i guess i wont have to craft golden Xavius 😂
F's in chat for Xavius
Aaaaw, I wanted to see interactions with Illidan card.
They might still make a xavius interaction
Yea me to
Definitely not going to happen :)
Well that's boring. I was hoping they'd at least rework the card seeing how it's....you know....utter garbage and useless in just about every circumstance.
Also a shame they're going to waste a cool character on such a weak effect. At least buff the guy so there's a reason to play him.
Agreed. Got excited from the title that he might be getting a new effect... I've never d/e him because he looks rad, but also never played him in a real deck